By Cheryl Powell, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
Jul. 13–Even after her death, Susan “Sue” Deveny Pavloff is raising money for the hospital she loved in the community she passionately supported.
The longtime Akron resident and former vice president of development for Summa Health System died Wednesday at age 50.
Although she never smoked, Pavloff died from lung cancer.
At her request, her family is asking memorials be made to the Summa Center for Cancer Care through the Summa Hospitals Foundation.
“Here she is, still fundraising for Summa,” said her husband, Jon. “That was what we talked about, and that’s what she wanted to do.”
Pavloff started volunteering at Akron City Hospital in 1972.
In 2000, she joined Summa as a consultant to spearhead the inaugural Sapphire Ball, the health system’s largest annual fundraising event. The following year, she became Summa’s director of development and later was promoted to vice president of development.
She also volunteered for numerous community boards and at her church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
“She was passionate about Akron — making Akron a better place,” said her brother, Dr. T. Clifford Deveny, Summa’s vice president for physician alignment. “It was all about pride in Akron and giving back and doing the right thing.”
After being diagnosed with cancer, she stepped down from her job and served as special assistant to the president of the Summa Hospitals Foundation.
The flags at Akron City and St. Thomas hospitals are being flown at half-staff in her honor.
“Sue was a dear friend and trusted colleague to many, and we will miss her energy, her laughter and her passion,” Thomas J. Strauss, Summa’s president and chief executive, wrote in a letter to Summa’s staff Thursday. “Sue made an indelible mark on Summa Health System and this community.”
When Pavloff was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago, doctors gave her about five months to live, her husband said. But with a new treatment and a determined spirit, she gained more time with the couple’s three children: Alexander, 18; Andrew, 16; and Tatiana, 12.
Even while dying, Pavloff put others first, her husband said.
When two of her close friends visited her a couple of weeks ago, she reminded them about another friend who needed their help, he recalled.
“There she was on her deathbed, thinking of other people,” he said. “She always cared about what she could do for others.”
Calling hours will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Billow funeral home, 85 N. Miller Road, Fairlawn.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1361 W. Market St., Akron, with the Rev. Sandra Selby officiating.
Memorials can be sent to Summa Hospitals Foundation/Center for Cancer Care, 525 E. Market St., P.O. Box 2090, Akron, OH 44309-2090.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or [email protected].
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